Adam, come to Hong Kong

If I could speak personally to Adam Giambrone, I would tell him two things: Adam, you should come to Hong Kong to learn how keeping extra-marital affairs private is done (it’s quite remarkable how stealthy people are here), and Adam if you want to make the TTC the better way, you should take a close look at the MTR system in Hong Kong.

I’ve remarked to myself numerous times since I arrived in Hong Kong, how amazing the MTR system is (they don’t call it subway here, subway is a whole other thing in Hong Kong). I felt compelled to write about it this morning when I noticed something I hadn’t noticed before—classical music is pumped into the stations. It has quite the calming effect during the morning rush. But that’s not all. Oh no, that’s just the beginning.

Food and drink are not allowed on the MTR system, so it is sparkling clean. No gum, no wrappers, no smelly left over food, just sparkling clean trains. I thought that maybe people would leave their commuter newspapers behind on the train, but I think Hong Kongers actually respect their train system. They recycle their papers on the way out.

During rush hours there are attendants at each entrance of the train. This is to help the flow of traffic in and out. In fact, they even have lines painted on the floor so you can line up and smoothly enter and exit the train. No mad mob pushing to get on here.

The trains are frequent and usually timed with each other. The system is quite large, so many transfers from train to train can take place. Just walk across the hall in the station, and you’ve found your other train.

There are NO delays on the train. Actually, that’s not true. I had a delay once. The announcer came on the loud speak and in a completely audible tone told me that the wait would be exactly 2 and a half minutes, and that she was very sorry. She hoped she hadn’t inconvenienced my day. While there may be the occasion delay, there are no jumpers, so the delays aren’t that bad. No suicides on this train system. Why? There are large plexiglass barriers with sliding doors that prevent jumping.

The one complaint I would have is that due to the size of Hong Kong, there are a zillion exits at each station. They are numbered alphabetically, and although the signage is good, it can be a bit intimidating. The Hong Kong MTR people have solved this problem though. Customer service desks are in every station – every one! My first couple of weeks here I basically went to the customer service desk each time I travelled. They were very helpful and guided me through my MTR experience.

Forget the metro pass, here they have the Octopus card - the card that does everything. You fill it up with money and then use in on the bus, MTR, ferry system, oh but wait – you can also use it at Starbucks (and many, many other coffee shops around the city), grocery stores. It even doubles as my building security card. Love the Octopus card.

Perhaps the best thing about the Hong Kong MTR system is the cost. I took the MTR to work this morning (the distance is equivalent from Yonge and Eg to Union) and it cost me $0.76 CND. You read correctly. Seventy-six cents.

Adam Giambrone, you have a lot to learn.